Are you there God? its me.....Amanda

I prayed for something very small and very specific the other day. I don't know why I don't have more faith that God will answer my prayers. I think most of the time I pray because I know its important to have a relationship with God, but rarely expect results from my requests. But this time, He answered and FAST! Within 10 minutes of my shout out I found out it was answered about the time I was asking for it. God never ceases to amaze me. The best part was that I was reminded that if He can answer even the simplest of my requests, how much more can/will He answer the big ones. I have been learning, painstakingly, how selfish I really am. Lately I've been trying to figure out what dying to myself and letting God truly have control really means. For now, it means simply believing that He will answer me, it just may not be what I want to hear.
Do you hear from God?

one of "those" days

you ever have one? you know one of those days where you feel like you need a few "little blue pills" just to get through it. I had such a terrible day recently that it was still lingering days later. Just a crappy day that left me totally drained in every way. (Please, for my sake, don't ask why)
Thankfully I believe in God. Seriously, I don't know what I'd do if I had only myself or a few friends to rely on. I had a great time with God today. He met me for a few minutes and reminded me that even when I feel so alone He's there holding me, comforting me and caring for me. He never makes me feel embarrassed or intimidated or, true to my personality, exposed. He just allows me to cry and cry and get it all out. Side Note: Did you know that emotional tears are actually healthy for you? I wish I could really put into words what I learned today. It was more a picture and its exactly what I needed.

I've been going through a study by Beth Moore called "John". Its on the person, not the book but oh so wonderful. She really is a gifted writer and knows how to challenge a person. It made today's realization make so much sense.
That was a random thought.

I hope your week is so much better.

Going Green

We didn't send a memo but this is what 7 of us wore to work today.

Happy Christmas

Apparantly to say "happy" is British or something. I didn't know, I just like to say happy instead of merry. I sure hope yours was full of happy and a lot of merry. Here's what we did...
Group shot after gifts


Me and my loot from Mikey. A friend gave me the GREATEST idea ever. She goes to her favorite shop and puts a cart of goods on hold for her husband to come and pick out of. BRILLIANT I tell ya. I pick out what I want, including stuff I wouldn't get for myself and take the guess work out of shopping for him. Worked like a charm. You should try it. It was great.


We spent our day lounging by the pool. And you?

rain, rain are you here to stay?

It rained so much today. It was amazing really. All I wanted to do was lie in bed with a warm drink and watch sappy movies on Lifetime. In my old life I would have gladly called in sick and enjoyed a quiet, cozy day in my pj's. I don't have that liberty anymore. Instead of "calling in", I'm "in my calling". That puts a damper on my damp day plans. Today I traded in my cozy bed and recorded t.v. for 10 hours of ministry. Some of which was ministering to people Ive never met and may never meet. So now here I sit, on my couch, glasses on, heat on, laziness....on. TV on, blog stalking on, Brain...OFF. Won't you join me? He did....

Family Fun

My oldest brother and his wife were visiting for Thanksgiving. Since our family has grown A LOT in the past few years we thought it would be a "great" idea to take family pictures. Have you ever tried to take pictures with 1-3yr old, 2-2yr olds, 1-almost 1yr old and a newborn??? Our great idea turned into a "quick they are almost all in one place snap it" night. Here are some from that day. Mind you, mike and I had just flown in from Georgia that afternoon. Oh well, we'll try again next year!

Coffee...good for the soul

I'm a coffee lover through and through. When God chooses to bless us with pregnancy, I really don't know what I will do. I've tried to cut out the coffee before and my friends it isn't pretty. I don't mind decaf but really, what's the point. A very good friend of ours loves to roast his own coffee beans, let me tell you this stuff will put hair on your chest, but it certainly is delicious. He opened my eyes to "green beans". No, not the string vegetable kind but raw coffee beans. I didn't even know you could buy those. I'm a fan of organic and fair trade. Fair trade means the companies pay the workers fair wages, not slave labor. A company I've grown to love is Pura Vida.
Ive ordered green beans from them and we use them commercially at our coffee cart at church. It's very yummy and they support other great companies like Sojourners. So, if your in the mood for coffee and want to make sure your supporting good causes check em out. They deliver straight to your door in less than a week!